Parashat Eikev describes the abundance awaiting the Jewish people in Eretz Yisrael: flowing springs, wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. The land would provide everything they needed.
Immediately afterward, the Torah issues a warning.
“When you eat and are satisfied, and build good houses and live in them,” Moshe tells the nation, do not become proud and forget Hashem. Do not say, “My strength and the might of my hand produced this wealth for me.”
Rabbi Yitzchak Zilber explains that prosperity carries its own danger. When a person is struggling, he naturally looks upward. He prays for health, livelihood, children, or relief. But once life becomes comfortable, he can begin to believe that success came entirely through his intelligence, effort, or planning.
The Torah therefore commands a Jew to recite Birkat Hamazon after eating bread: “You shall eat, be satisfied, and bless the L-rd, your G-d, for the good land that He gave you” (Devarim 8:10).
We do not thank Hashem only before receiving what we need. We thank Him after we are satisfied—precisely when it is easiest to forget.
Rabbi Zilber notes that Birkat Hamazon recounts the foundations of Jewish life. We thank Hashem for food, Eretz Yisrael, the covenant and Torah, and ask for mercy upon Jerusalem. An ordinary meal becomes a reminder that our daily bread is connected to the history and purpose of the Jewish people.
This lesson applies far beyond food.
A person works hard and succeeds in business. Effort matters. But who gave him health, ability, judgment, customers, and opportunity? Another person builds a comfortable home. Who granted the peace that allows him to live there?
Gratitude does not deny human effort. It prevents effort from becoming arrogance.
Moshe also warns the people not to believe that they deserve Eretz Yisrael because of their own righteousness. Hashem would fulfill the promise made to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov despite the nation’s failures in the desert. Rabbi Zilber emphasizes Moshe’s honesty: Remember how often you sinned, how often you were forgiven, and how many miracles were performed for you.
What does Hashem ask in return?
“To fear the L-rd, your G-d, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and soul—for your good” (Devarim 10:12-13).
Rabbi Zilber explains that gratitude is part of both fear and love of Hashem. A person who recognizes the source of his blessings respects the commandments, prepares seriously for Shabbat and the holidays, finds joy in prayer and Torah, and shows kindness to others.
The test of faith is not only how we respond when life is difficult.
It is whether, after we have eaten and are satisfied, we still remember Who provided the meal.
Parashat Eikev is sponsored by Rabbi Moshe Abramov & Family
Rabbi Yitzchok Zilber, zt”l, dedicated his life to teaching Torah, and his impactful writings continue to inspire Jews worldwide. Copyright 2023 by The LaMaalot Foundation. Conversations on the Torah is catalogued at The Library of Congress. All rights reserved. www.LaMaalot.org
Parashat Eikev: The Test Of Having Enough
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